Day 1: Tokyo to Kyoto — The Classic Shinkansen Experience
Tokyo Station & Ekiben Selection
Arrive at Tokyo Station at least 30 minutes before departure to browse the ekiben (station bento) vendors on the Shinkansen platforms and in the underground Gransta food hall. Pick up a regional bento — the Touge no Kamameshi (mountain pot rice) or a classic makunouchi bento with grilled salmon, pickled vegetables, and tamagoyaki. Board the Nozomi or Hikari service on the Tokaido Shinkansen line. Seat yourself on the right side (seats D or E) heading west for the best views of Mt Fuji, which appears around 40–50 minutes after departure near Shin-Fuji Station.
The Ride — 2 Hours 15 Minutes at 285 km/h
Settle in and enjoy the ride as Japan blurs past at 285 km/h. The Tokaido Shinkansen passes through Nagoya and crosses the flatlands of Aichi Prefecture before climbing into the mountains approaching Kyoto. Eat your ekiben — this is a cherished ritual on the Shinkansen, and eating on bullet trains is not only acceptable but encouraged. The onboard trolley cart passes through every 20–30 minutes selling coffee, green tea, ice cream (famously hard-frozen Sinansen ice cream), and snacks.
Arriving at Kyoto Station
Arrive at Kyoto Station, a striking modernist glass-and-steel building designed by Hiroshi Hara. The station itself is worth exploring — take the escalator to the rooftop Sky Garden for panoramic views across Kyoto. The Porta underground shopping mall beneath the station has excellent ramen shops for dinner. The Kyoto Tower observation deck across the street offers 360-degree city views at dusk. From here, Kyoto's temples, bamboo groves, and geisha district of Gion are all within easy reach by bus or subway.
